Kansas New No. 1 In AP Poll After Gonzaga Suffers First Loss

The Gonzaga Bulldogs, who were 29-0 and leading the nation in the polls, lost their first game of the season to 20-point underdog BYU and promptly fell three places in the rankings.

The 79-71 loss put an abrupt halt to what could have been a perfect 30-0 season and sent them tumbling to fourth in the AP rankings, behind UCLA (3) and Villanova (2). Kansas was the benefactor, moving up to no. 1 after a perfect week pushed their record to 26-3.

The Bruins beat no. 7 Arizona on the road to leapfrog two spots from fifth, while Villanova remained static in second, despite a loss to no. 13 Butler (which moved up from 22nd with that victory). Duke, on the other hand, fell seven spots to no. 17 after losses to Syracuse (not ranked) and no. 25 Miami (previously unranked).

All teams are now entering conference playoffs (most the week of March 5-12), with tournament Selection Sunday coming Mar. 12.